Asia Apparel Expo for the third time in Berlin
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As the self-proclaimed “only dedicated all-Asian apparel sourcing event in Europe” Asia Apparel Expo aims to bring garment producers from Asia and European buyers together. Asked about any changes compared to the previous year, Ben Wong states: “For its third edition we feel Asia Apparel Expo is now consolidating its position as the only dedicated business event for Asian-based suppliers. Seventeen companies have returned to exhibit again and have begun to establish new business relationships. We are delighted at the level of participation from Bangladesh with 20 companies supported by the Export Promotion Bureau exhibiting.”
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Asian sourcing countries represented at Asia Apparel Expo
All in all, 212 experienced suppliers have confirmed their participation for this year’s event. Apart from Bangladesh, six of the world’s largest garment producing countries and regions will be represented with China, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. In view of recent factory incidents in these apparel-producing countries, FashionUnited asked Wong to elaborate on the exhibitor selection process and the verification of their credentials. “Our intention is to select exhibiting companies that have a track record of dealing in volume and export and have already being working with European customers,” explains Wong.
On the buyers’ side, more than 2500 European trade professionals are expected to attend the show. “The pre-registration includes branded manufacturers, private label producers, sourcing agents, designers, wholesalers and chain stores with strong interest from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and Russia as well as the Middle East and South Africa,” confirms Wong. Other countries sending representatives to Asia Apparel Expo are the UK, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Belgium and Portugal.
Last year, visitors from Germany made up 48 percent of all visitors with Poland, Spain, the UK and Italy coming in second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively. “We’re looking for suits and knitwear. We found more quality and cost-competitive suppliers in this show as compared to other garment fairs we visited in Germany. The product quality here is excellent. For sure, we will come again next year,” said Ms. Baumann, purchasing manager at German hotel supplier Hotelwäsche Erwin Müller GmbH & Co. KG.
Other European visitors have specific demands they are looking to fulfil. “As a trading company in Poland, we have come to look for pyjamas. We are glad to see some high-quality suppliers from China and other Asian countries. We’d love to visit the show again next year,” agreed Mr. Joñczyk of Febe Trade Sp. z o.o.
To make sure that visitors easily find what they are looking for, the trade expo has been divided into the following five areas: mens- and womenswear, childrenswear, fabrics, textiles and trimmings and accessories. The mens- and womenswear segement includes denims, sportswear, downs and casualwear; fabrics showcases functional and novelty fabrics apart from basic ones, and textiles includes eco textiles and nonwovens. Asia Apparel Expo is open daily for trade visitors from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (4 pm on the last day of the show).
Photos: Asia Apparel Expo